Troubling News - Death Sentence Still Imminent for Christian Pastor in Iran

Early this morning, the ACLJ received this troubling news from Christian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's attorney in Iran, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah. Mr. Dadkhah firmly denies that the court has agreed to overturn Pastor Youcef's death sentence. He believes this is a lie spread by the Iranian secret service, even to members of his own family, to stop the media from reporting on this case.

Pastor Firouz Sadegh-Khandjani, a Member of the Council of Elders for the Church of Iran and a close personal friend of Pastor Youcef, said that "until we have official notification we must be cautious. In June we were told the [Supreme] Court had canceled the sentence and [Pastor Youcef] would be released, but after that we received another verdict. Before we receive a formal verdict we must proceed. . . If we don't keep up the pressure they may turn it into a life sentence or send him to a worse prison. In Iran about 18 years ago, they had released a pastor, but then came and assassinated him and his bishop later. We cannot stop the pressure."

Attempts to stifle the media on sensitive matters are common in Iran, and as we first reported, until Pastor Youcef walks free, we need to continue to push for his immediate and unconditional release. I appeared on CBN News this morning to deliver the breaking news and we will post the video of the interview as soon as possible.

We are continuing to work with Pastor Youcef's lawyer and our other contacts in Iran to ensure that Pastor Youcef's life is spared and he is released.

Today, the latest video released by investigative journalists further expose the disgusting practices of Planned Parenthood. Frankly, it’s evil. I’ve deposed these abortionists before. I know the cold calculated evil they perpetrate. Now the American people are seeing it firsthand. Hopefully this...

Over 50,000 of you spoke up after terrorism struck on American soil once again in Chattanooga, TN. Now, the Department of Defense (DOD) is responding, reevaluating dangerous priorities. After a jihadist murdered five unarmed soldiers at military installations here at home, we spoke up and you stood...

Last week, a caller on Jay Sekulow Live! wanted to defend Planned Parenthood. Buying into the lies and distortion from the abortion industry, he asked about the cancer screenings and other health services that Planned Parenthood claims to provide to women. Unfortunately for him, the facts were not...

The Obama Administration finally achieved a primary goal in its search for a lasting legacy in signing a 159-page nuclear agreement with Iran. Unfortunately, for the President, that legacy involves leaving our fellow American citizens behind, including American Pastor Saeed Abedini in chains for...

As the deadline for the Iranian nuclear talks loomed today, the State Department announced that the deadline has once again been extended to July 7th. This means more time for the U.S. government to do the right thing and not leave American Pastor Saeed Abedini behind. The Associated Press reports...

ISIS – the Islamic State – is now more dangerous than ever. ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow and his “Law of War Team” sounded the alarm on this brutal terrorist group last fall with the launch of “Rise of ISIS: A Threat We Can’t Ignore”. That must-read book quickly climbed to the top, becoming a...

One of the most puzzling aspects of America’s relationship with Iran is the reality that — by rhetoric and conduct — the United States acts as if it fears Iran, while Iran behaves as if it has nothing to fear from the U.S. Iran commits repeated acts of war against the U.S., unlawfully holds our...

The ACLJ is an organization dedicated to the defense of constitutional liberties secured by law.

American Center for Law and Justice is a d/b/a for Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism,
Inc., a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, religious corporation as defined under Section 501(c)(3)
of the Internal Revenue Code, specifically dedicated to the ideal that religious freedom and
freedom of speech are inalienable, God-given rights. The Center's purpose is to engage legal,
legislative and cultural issues by implementing an effective strategy of advocacy, education
and litigation to ensure that those rights are protected under the law. The organization has
participated in numerous cases before the Supreme Court, Federal Court of Appeals, Federal
District Courts, and various state courts regarding freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
Your gift is very much appreciated and fully deductible as a charitable contribution. A copy
of our latest financial report may be obtained by writing to us at P.O. Box 90555, Washington,
DC 20090-0555.